Thomas Haden Church (born Thomas Richard McMillen;[1][2] June 17, 1960) is an American actor, director, and writer. After co-starring in the 1990s sitcom Wings, Church became known for his film roles, including his Academy Award–nominated performance in Sideways and his role as the Sandman in Spider-Man 3. He also made his directorial debut with Rolling Kansas.

Church started in the entertainment business as a radio personality and doing voice-over work.[6] He changed his name to "Thomas Haden Church", taking "Haden" and "Church" from his ancestry.[1] A part in an independent film convinced him to move to California to pursue an acting career. He played the part of slow-witted aircraft mechanic Lowell Mather for six seasons (1990–1995) on the NBC sitcom Wings.

In 2003, director Alexander Payne called him regarding the role of "Jack", the selfish best friend to Paul Giamatti's character, in Sideways. During the audition, Church stripped naked to read the audition scene, later saying "To me it was painfully obvious... I was reading the scene where Jack comes in naked and there has to be in-born vulnerability in the scene."[6] (He later found that he was the only actor to strip down for the audition).[7]Sideways earned acclaim for Church. He won an IFP Independent Spirit Award and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Church lives on his 2,000-acre (810 ha) ranch in Bandera County, Texas.[6][10] Church and actress Mia Zottoli have a daughter. He has never been married.[10] Church's biological father died in 2008,[4] and his stepfather in 2012.[5]